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Arizona Fall League Predictions

Shane Wahl

By Shane Wahl
in Minnesota Twins Talk

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Shane Wahl Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

Shane Wahl

Verified Member
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It's mid-August and this is the Twins, so let's think about October. That is, let's think about the Arizona Fall League.

 

The Twins will send six or seven players, mostly from AA and AAA to play in this hitter-heavy month-long league.

 

There are certain reasons why players may be selected for this league. For starting pitchers who need more innings, the AFL is a nice place to get some more work in. For starters and relievers who are fast risers (and in A+ or AA), this is a good place to provide a bigger test.

 

Then there are position players who are doing very well and you want to see if it continues beyond a full season.

 

And there are, perhaps finally, some players and pitchers who have been around a bit and need a test really to see if the team should continue to be serious about them in 2014 and forward.

 

Given these parameters, I think the two names that jump out the most are Alex Meyer and Josmil Pinto. Meyer is going to need innings and Pinto is now played 1 2/3 seasons across three levels of the minors. It will be good to get him some more at bats to see if opening day 2014 is a possibility for him.

 

There's Meyer and Pinto, but who are other players (4-5) who you think might be included. I have some ideas (Beresford, Dean, Ortiz) but there also seems like there are plenty of potential candidates.

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PseudoSABR Cedar Rapids Kernels

PseudoSABR

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Well the Twins are only eligible to pick one player below AA, so Wimmers might be out. I think it will almost be all pitchers. Meyer, May (though he might have too many innings), Baxendale, Tonkin, Summers are eligible and might be good bets. Pinto, Santana, Ortiz, Morales might be benefited from the experience. But only one foreign player is allowed (probably because of the Winter leagues).

 

Is it me or is it very rare to see elite prospect in Arizona. I'd love for them to put Buxton out there to fast track him some...

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jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

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I thought it was 2 players below AA that can be put up for the AFL draft. Buxton and Zach Jones are at the top of my list. (Is Nate Roberts healthy enough for a return trip to the AFL? He needs the ABs, for sure). (Adam Brett Walker?) (Wimmers is on the AA or AAA roster).

 

Isn't Josmil Pinto restricted to playing only in Venezuela in the winter?

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PseudoSABR Cedar Rapids Kernels

PseudoSABR

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Pat Dean is another guy who could go.

 

Here are the rules:

Each Major League organization is required to provide six players subject to the following requirements:

 

  • All Triple-A and Double-A players are eligible, provided the players are on at least a Double-A level roster no later than Aug. 1.
  • One player below the Double-A level is allowed per Major League team.
  • One foreign player is allowed, as long as the player does not reside in a country that participates in winter ball, as part of the Caribbean Confederation or the Australian winter league.
  • No players with more than one year of credited Major League service as of August 31 are eligible, except a team may select one player picked in the most recently concluded Major League Rule 5 Draft.
  • To be eligible, players on Minor League disabled lists must be activated at least 45 days before the conclusion of their respective seasons.

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jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

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He'd have to be there by Aug 1st, but maybe injury (rehab) changes the matrix somewhat.

 

He's been on their DL all season. The "45 day" rule complicates things a bit though- I don't see how he would be eligible for the AFL.

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jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

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Pat Dean is another guy who could go.

 

Here are the rules:

Each Major League organization is required to provide six players subject to the following requirements:

 

  • All Triple-A and Double-A players are eligible, provided the players are on at least a Double-A level roster no later than Aug. 1.
  • One player below the Double-A level is allowed per Major League team.
  • One foreign player is allowed, as long as the player does not reside in a country that participates in winter ball, as part of the Caribbean Confederation or the Australian winter league.
  • No players with more than one year of credited Major League service as of August 31 are eligible, except a team may select one player picked in the most recently concluded Major League Rule 5 Draft.
  • To be eligible, players on Minor League disabled lists must be activated at least 45 days before the conclusion of their respective seasons.

 

From the AFL website: "Each team can opt to send 2 players below Double A."

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jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

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Wimmers will be on the NB roster, imo, if they keep him, so that should not be an issue. I'd love to see Buxton there, to increase velocity, but does that ever happen? Plus, i'd think he could use a break.

 

I sure hope he doesn't need a break. He's a very energetic 19- and by all accounts, an incredibly goal-driven hard worker. In addition, the AFL would love the publicity and hoopla of having the #1 prospect as a showcase talent. I know if he plays I'll make the trip down.

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Oxtung First Round Pick

Oxtung

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Pat Dean is another guy who could go.

 

Here are the rules:

Each Major League organization is required to provide six players subject to the following requirements:

 

  • All Triple-A and Double-A players are eligible, provided the players are on at least a Double-A level roster no later than Aug. 1.
  • One player below the Double-A level is allowed per Major League team.
  • One foreign player is allowed, as long as the player does not reside in a country that participates in winter ball, as part of the Caribbean Confederation or the Australian winter league.
  • No players with more than one year of credited Major League service as of August 31 are eligible, except a team may select one player picked in the most recently concluded Major League Rule 5 Draft.
  • To be eligible, players on Minor League disabled lists must be activated at least 45 days before the conclusion of their respective seasons.

 

That seems to rule out Meyer as well.

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drjim Cedar Rapids Kernels

drjim

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That seems to rule out Meyer as well.

 

A team can apply for an exemption in certain circumstances. I think Meyer would fit that well, but the main concern is that he needs to prove he is healthy and able to actually pitch in the league.

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Mave Prep Ball

Mave

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How about Aaron Hicks? Has less than a year of MLB experience, making him eligible. I also agree with Morales, Tonkin.

 

Other names--Deibinson Romero? Maybe? I would rather have Morales there.

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diehardtwinsfan Minnesota Twins

diehardtwinsfan

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Meyer and Wimmers strike me as good candidates, especially since both could use the innings. Beyond that, I really don't know. I wouldn't mind giving DB Romero a crack at it. He's not really a prospect at this point, but I'd be curious how he performs against tough competition. He's a dark horse for the 40 man, so I think you put him on it if he performs there. I wouldn't mind letting Parmelee get some additional work there if he's eligible.

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Mave Prep Ball

Mave

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I don't think Parm would be eligible based on how much time he has spent in the ML-- but I agree with the sentiment. It might be fun to see what kind of numbers he could put up down there based on his last couple of years crushing AA and AAA pitching!

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Oxtung First Round Pick

Oxtung

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And speaking of sending guys to get some innings in, what about someone like Oliveros? Pedro Hernandez? More playing time for Escobar?

 

Oliveros and Hernandez are both on the DL. If the rules posted earlier are correct they seem like the would be ineligible. That goes for Meyer and Wimmers too it seems.

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lightfoot789 Draft Eligible

lightfoot789

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Would love to see Buxton and Walker paired in OF together again. Use both sub AA spots on these two guys. You can always monitor workload with Taxi squad roster fillers. Who cares about any possible failure? Both are strong enough to bounce back and grow from the experience. Congrats to ABW on his 100 RBIs and 26th HR.

Walker is Minors' first to century mark | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball

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clutterheart First Round Pick

clutterheart

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With the Caribbean league rules, position player wise, the Twins don't have a lot of prospects to bring.

 

Kyle Knudson seems like the only interesting one.

 

Pitchers I think will be easier:

Meyer seems like a lock

Hauser

Summers

Hermsen

 

And the dark Horse is Max Kepler. Usually teams can ask for waivers from the rules and I think Kepler is someone the Twins would like to see go up against tougher competition. - Especially since he needs to be added to the 40 man.

 

They could also ask for a waiver for a player like Beresford

 

Pinto & Rosario won't play in the AFL as they will be in the Caribbean league somewhere.

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pab Prep Ball

pab

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With the Caribbean league rules, position player wise, the Twins don't have a lot of prospects to bring.

 

Kyle Knudson seems like the only interesting one.

 

Pitchers I think will be easier:

Meyer seems like a lock

Hauser

Summers

Hermsen

 

And the dark Horse is Max Kepler. Usually teams can ask for waivers from the rules and I think Kepler is someone the Twins would like to see go up against tougher competition. - Especially since he needs to be added to the 40 man.

 

 

What about Rohlfing? He would seem to fit the rules, and he hasn't played a ton this year (neither has Knudson).

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joeboo_22 Prep Ball

joeboo_22

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I'm guessing Kepler will be there, he missed the first half, is versatile all 3 OF positions + 1B. they probably want him to get some more AB's and see some higher talent.

 

Others? Maybe Tonkin but I'd be surprised he'll be a September call-up and I believe was in the AFL last year.

 

My guess is they go more the DeVries, Hermsen, Hermann, route, not that big of prospects but guys who a decision will be need to be made on this winter.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Shane Wahl Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

Shane Wahl

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Matt Hauser started out well this season and then . . . whoa. He is talented, though, and is probably a guy they want to see more of this year. Watts has already been and is probably someone the Twins already think of as near-ready.

 

BJ Hermsen would get smacked bad in the AFL.

 

Hauser and Dean, for sure. Maybe they push Kepler. Otherwise . . . Levi Michael.

 

I cannot remember if A.J. Achter went last year, but he would be another good choice.

 

So I can think of four.

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Jim H College Ball

Jim H

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A lot of the names proposed here would seem to be ineligible. Somehow I doubt Buxton or Walker are all that likely to be sent to the AFL. They have already had pretty long seasons for their first full years. Especially since they will be in playoffs. Usually the Twins sent several relief pitchers, maybe a starter or 2 that didn't get many innings for one reason or another, and often a catcher who isn't necessarily a top prospect. Since the Twins top prospects are either foreign born or a long ways away from the majors, it does become an interesting guessing game to figure out who may be sent.

 

I could see Hicks being sent, if he is healthy. Kepler is an interesting idea, but I am not sure if he is really ready for that level of competition.

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